this is a live look at hong kong china. the clock struck midnight. coming up, how people here are getting ready for the new year. >> time is up to avert the fiscal cliff. the last minute scrambling at this house going on behind closed doors. >> and the redskins pull it off. they knock off the cowboys. >> welcome to news 4 midday. >> it's new year's eve, monday, december 31, 2012. >> it's down to the wire. we are less than 24 hours away from hitting the so-called fiscal a cliff right now. the house and senate are striking a deal oh avoid massive tax hikes and spending cuts. derek ward is live with more on what's happening today. >> the end is near. that's the end of the year, of course. what about the path that ends at the end of the fiscal cliff. senators should be back at it. the house reconvened this morning. such new year's eve appearances are on the hill. senate minority leader mitch mcconnell and joe biden kept in place to avoid $200 billion in tax increases. broad stroke spending cuts and domestic and defense spending. they would take effect gr